Lallana is so Frustrating

[Smalls]

Why is it the boy continues to frustrate me whenever he has a purple patch he then follows it with months of in all honesty very average performances. Last season the final 4 months he was really poor and on last nights evidence he is going the same way.

[Channon's Sideburns]

+1.

[mdearlove]

He was pretty poor last night. We were crying out for a left winger who could beat his man and get a cross in. I don't think he is in his natural position though. Sticking him in behind Lambert in a free role would be better.

[John B]

He was pretty poor last night. We were crying out for a left winger who could beat his man and get a cross in. I don't think he is in his natural position though. Sticking him in behind Lambert in a free role would be better.

 

I dont think he is a real team player tries to show off too much.

 

 

Really good players sometimes just do the simple things well but not Lallana

[The Flying Finn]

To me, he's look knackered for the last few games and is in desperate need of a rest.

[John B]

To me, he's look knackered for the last few games and is in desperate need of a rest.

 

He is a professional sportsman not an OAP

[alpine_saint]

He is a professional sportsman not an OAP

 

Never had a lot of time for the "knackered" argument, to be honest.

 

He wants to try juggling a full-time job with big responsibilites, 3 young kids and a sick wife if he wants to understand what "knackered" means.

 

Personally, I would drop the f**ker during patches like this. I find it bizarre that Papa cant get a full game, or even a full half.

[Barry the Badger]

Never had a lot of time for the "knackered" argument, to be honest.

 

He wants to try juggling a full-time job with big responsibilites, 3 young kids and a sick wife if he wants to understand what "knackered" means.

 

What a load of rubbish. A professional sportsperson needing to give their body a rest from the relentlessness of their profession is not comparable to you and your full time job and kids.

 

Get a grip.

[a1ex2001]

He's young, he's still learning the game and we are asking an awful lot of him. Not only do we expect him to play every game of the season out of position but we expect him to be our major creative force and score more than his fair share of goals. Give him time he has shown obvious class but needs to develop and in all honestly looks desperately in need of a rest at the minute.

[Noodles34]

Never had a lot of time for the "knackered" argument, to be honest.

 

He wants to try juggling a full-time job with big responsibilites, 3 young kids and a sick wife if he wants to understand what "knackered" means.

 

Personally, I would drop the f**ker during patches like this. I find it bizarre that Papa cant get a full game, or even a full half.

 

The f***ker! Nice support mate.

 

No wonder your wife is sick!

[Noodles34]

Matty used to frustrate me no ends in the beginning, but I reckon he turned out okay?

[DT]

He is frustrating in that he often chooses the wrong final option but we always lose it a bit when he goes off.

PS can't help thinking our profligacy in front of goal last night will cost us. Tie should be out of sight by now.

PPS oy! Antonio! Pass!!!!

[ottery st mary]

Great player and first on the team sheet.....Most opposing teams have great respect for this lads talent and scout/team reports detail his great ability and danger.

 

Along with Hoolohan of Norwich best player in our league by far.

Believe...at least he is our player..

 

COYRs.

[Rory]

Why are we criticising players after an impressive win? We looked poorer when Lallana went off for Holmes. The kid is mustard and is our future.

[alpine_saint]

What a load of rubbish. A professional sportsperson needing to give their body a rest from the relentlessness of their profession is not comparable to you and your full time job and kids.

 

 

Complex b*ll*cks written by a total tool.

 

There are other types of fatigue than just running around a picth kicking a ball.

 

You get a grip Mrs. Lallana.

[ottery st mary]

My lad is world class. Mr Lallana...And ottery AND most true Saints fans agree.

[The9]

Why is it the boy continues to frustrate me whenever he has a purple patch he then follows it with months of in all honesty very average performances. Last season the final 4 months he was really poor and on last nights evidence he is going the same way.

 

He worked his ar5e off last night, and made a couple of vital tackles by running 20 yards - it can't all be backheels, Cruyff turns and, erm, scuffed shots into the corner.

 

I though Holmes did ok too, other than his stupid booking for kicking the ball away (though it wasn't a foul).

[saintds]

To me, he's look knackered for the last few games and is in desperate need of a rest.

 

I'm not buying that. The whole squad had the best part of a fortnight with no game due to bad weather. It's a dip in form, not energy levels.

[alpine_saint]

I'm not buying that. The whole squad had the best part of a fortnight with no game due to bad weather. It's a dip in form, not energy levels.

 

nonononono - he needs to give his a body a rest from the "relentlessness of his profession", the poor darling.

[Smirking_Saint]

Lol, what a ton of carp.

 

The boy has something different, and with it he works very hard for the team. At times he is the spark that gets us moving.

 

When you watch saints and last night is a good example, we have one of two options. Play creatively through Lallana especially and also spiderman or hit the big long ball towards lambert and pick up the pieces (i have noticed he is not winning as many headers but causes such a nuissence the ball ends up around the box anyways). Now we have increasingly played the long ball a lot towards lambert, and this effectively bypasses lallana.

 

The difference being by now everyone has a good idea about how the teams line up and also who the dangers are etc. Lallana and lambert get special treatment from other teams, they overload them, both when lallana is on the ball and also when we hit that long ball towards RL.

 

When lallana has it he makes things happen and we look dangerous, when he came off we lost an option, Holmes as good as his crossing is, is just not good enough, mainly due to his pace, and that caused us issues.

 

Also, Apline, tbf i think u normally get a hard time, and most of the time do agree with you, that being said, what you said earlier was complete carp. Of course players can get jaded etc, we have a lot of fixtures lately, i would imagine the team is training hard, of course they will tire.

[saintsmike25]

He was pretty poor last night. We were crying out for a left winger who could beat his man and get a cross in. I don't think he is in his natural position though. Sticking him in behind Lambert in a free role would be better.

 

Lallana hasn't got the pace to do that but he could always work on his left foot in training to deliver balls in from wide area's so he can at least occasionally TRY to get to the byline to cause trouble it's far too predictable to always cut inside you need different aspects to trouble the full back with.

[S-Clarke]

I'm not sure what people expect Lallana to do when the ball is constantly hoofed up field. (as it was most of the 2nd half)

 

many of our better moves and chances in the first half came from him being involved, he hasn't got much pace unfortunatley, but his agility makes him a real threat in the final third.

 

He's improved much more this year - he's much more involved IMO and he works his socks off for the team, so i wouldn't say he's even a luxury player anymore. He always puts in a real shift, even if it doesn't quite come off.

[alpine_saint]

Lol, what a ton of carp.

 

The boy has something different, and with it he works very hard for the team. At times he is the spark that gets us moving.

 

When you watch saints and last night is a good example, we have one of two options. Play creatively through Lallana especially and also spiderman or hit the big long ball towards lambert and pick up the pieces (i have noticed he is not winning as many headers but causes such a nuissence the ball ends up around the box anyways). Now we have increasingly played the long ball a lot towards lambert, and this effectively bypasses lallana.

 

The difference being by now everyone has a good idea about how the teams line up and also who the dangers are etc. Lallana and lambert get special treatment from other teams, they overload them, both when lallana is on the ball and also when we hit that long ball towards RL.

 

When lallana has it he makes things happen and we look dangerous, when he came off we lost an option, Holmes as good as his crossing is, is just not good enough, mainly due to his pace, and that caused us issues.

 

Also, Apline, tbf i think u normally get a hard time, and most of the time do agree with you, that being said, what you said earlier was complete carp. Of course players can get jaded etc, we have a lot of fixtures lately, i would imagine the team is training hard, of course they will tire.

 

Do you agree that AP should play his in-form players, and that if a player has lost his edge he should make way for one who is firing on all cylinders ?

 

Whether you like it or not (and I concede it could be down to team tactics and playing style, but then he shouldnt be playing in that position as he doesnt fit APs game plan), Lallana's performances have lost their sparkle, the same way they did last season.

[Saint_clark]

Do you agree that AP should play his in-form players, and that if a player has lost his edge he should make way for one who is firing on all cylinders ?

 

Whether you like it or not (and I concede it could be down to team tactics and playing style, but then he shouldnt be playing in that position as he doesnt fit APs game plan), Lallana's performances have lost their sparkle, the same way they did last season.

 

I'm not so sure his performances had the sparkle last season they've had this time round.

[Smirking_Saint]

Do you agree that AP should play his in-form players, and that if a player has lost his edge he should make way for one who is firing on all cylinders ?

 

Whether you like it or not (and I concede it could be down to team tactics and playing style, but then he shouldnt be playing in that position as he doesnt fit APs game plan), Lallana's performances have lost their sparkle, the same way they did last season.

 

He does fit in, like i said, it gives us two dimensions to use which is always good. I do agree, form over names at all times but personally i don't think it is a form issue.

 

He still plays well, just has not had the goals he had at the start of the season. I thought he did ok last night. TBF, antonio can't cross a ball either

[The Kraken]

Do you agree that AP should play his in-form players, and that if a player has lost his edge he should make way for one who is firing on all cylinders ?

 

Whether you like it or not (and I concede it could be down to team tactics and playing style, but then he shouldnt be playing in that position as he doesnt fit APs game plan), Lallana's performances have lost their sparkle, the same way they did last season.

 

You're clearly not a fan of Lallana. Others can see what he has got and think he's one of the first names on the team sheet, myself included. There's no doubt he's not hitting the heights as consistently as he was earlier in the season but he is still a good player and well worthy of his place.

 

For me, I'd rather have an averagely performing Lallana in there than the complete hit and miss potential of Waigo and/or Antonio. I feel Lallana gives us more than those two in that he rarely gives the ball away, brings others into play very well and overall brings shape and balance to the whole left side, he's struck up an excellent partnership with Dan Harding.

 

And I don't agree that his performances have lost sparkle compared to last season; if anything he's looking much better this season.

 

It's easy to forget that he's still very young, and will have highs and lows in terms of performance. But I feel our team is worse off without him.

[Channon's Sideburns]

What a load of rubbish. A professional sportsperson needing to give their body a rest from the relentlessness of their profession is not comparable to you and your full time job and kids.

 

Get a grip.

 

Relentlessness of their profession?

 

I'd give my right bollock to have his life.

 

Get up, get paid for the best job in the world, and back home at a reasonable hour.

 

Oh, and get paid more in a week than most earn in a month.

 

I've ran the London Marathon numerous times - and been at work the next day. Guess what...day's rest and back out there. It's called COMMITTMENT.

 

They get plenty of rest...some like Lallana take a break during games.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

His form does fluctuate - when he's good he is a delight but then he can be awful.

 

I think our dip in form in the last few months has coincided with him going off the boil.

 

Perhaps he is carrying an injury as the Echo mentioned he was 50/50 for last night but something appears amiss at present.

[Smirking_Saint]

His head was apparantly turned, about dec time

[Channon's Sideburns]

His head was apparantly turned, about dec time

 

not again...FFS

[fareham saint phil]

Thank god forums weren't around when MLT was wandering around the pitch looking bored and uninterested, he would have been murdered by some of our support. AL is far and away the most skillful player on any league 1 pitch, sometimes things dont work etc etc but stop the witch hunt he's young and still learning and i for one would miss him if he left this Jan or summer

[John B]

His form does fluctuate - when he's good he is a delight but then he can be awful.

 

I think our dip in form in the last few months has coincided with him going off the boil.

 

Perhaps he is carrying an injury as the Echo mentioned he was 50/50 for last night but something appears amiss at present.

 

 

I dont watch the Saints much these days about once a month or so but whenever I do Lallana looks good but has not actually achieved much.

 

I know he has played well in other games and scored quality goals if we are to achieve success our better players need to perform well most of the time and this is probably has not happened in our recent matches.

 

However I think Fonte looks an excellant signing so our defence is going to become better

[mulletsaint]

Lallana was frustrating last night, often over complicating things. However the guy's still only 21 and younger players tend to have this inconsistency. Call it resting him or dropping him, maybe he does need it to freshen him up a bit.

 

Not seen much of Waigo but maybe AP thought Lallana would do a better job of tracking back? He did this to good effect on a number of occasions last night.

 

Talking of young players and inconsistency, Antonio' been getting a fair bit of stick, yet last night I thought he was the best player on the pitch by some way. Yes he's raw but anyone with sense can see the potential there and he's prepared to work his arse off. I'm willing to bet if he hadn't scored last night (and what a finish by the way) he'd be getting a right slating for missing that chance to square the ball early in the first half.

[Channon's Sideburns]

Lallana was frustrating last night, often over complicating things. However the guy's still only 21 and younger players tend to have this inconsistency. Call it resting him or dropping him, maybe he does need it to freshen him up a bit.

 

Not seen much of Waigo but maybe AP thought Lallana would do a better job of tracking back? He did this to good effect on a number of occasions last night.

 

Talking of young players and inconsistency, Antonio' been getting a fair bit of stick, yet last night I thought he was the best player on the pitch by some way. Yes he's raw but anyone with sense can see the potential there and he's prepared to work his arse off. I'm willing to bet if he hadn't scored last night (and what a finish by the way) he'd be getting a right slating for missing that chance to square the ball early in the first half.

 

I think the argument should be whether we have the ability to have more than one player that we can afford to 'carry' during the game.

 

Having one 'hit and miss' player in the team is fine - but more than one and you're in trouble, because it upsets the balance of the side.

 

So, if the consensus is that Antonio and Lallana fit this category, we shouldn't be playing both. Whoever is performing to the best of their ability should be in - the other should be on the sidelines waiting for their opportunity.

 

Playing someone on 'reputation' or performances three months ago is ridiculous.

 

And please, please stop mentioning MLT in the same sentence as Lallana. It's disrespectful to a legend, and Lallana:

 

a) Lallana is nowhere near the same player as Le Tiss;

b) why would Lallana need that extra pressure of being compared?

 

We have enough squad players now to replace those who are having a rough time and need a break.

 

The comment about 'having his head turned in December' worries me. Agents again???

[alpine_saint]

The age excuse is getting tedious now.

 

Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney were winning games week-in, week-out for their teams long before now.

 

I'll accept that he hasnt matured sufficiently to be at the peak of his game, but FFS lets drop the pretence that it has anything to do with age.

[alpine_saint]

I think the argument should be whether we have the ability to have more than one player that we can afford to 'carry' during the game.

 

Having one 'hit and miss' player in the team is fine - but more than one and you're in trouble, because it upsets the balance of the side.

 

So, if the consensus is that Antonio and Lallana fit this category, we shouldn't be playing both. Whoever is performing to the best of their ability should be in - the other should be on the sidelines waiting for their opportunity.

 

Playing someone on 'reputation' or performances three months ago is ridiculous.

 

And please, please stop mentioning MLT in the same sentence as Lallana. It's disrespectful to a legend, and Lallana:

 

a) Lallana is nowhere near the same player as Le Tiss;

b) why would Lallana need that extra pressure of being compared?

 

We have enough squad players now to replace those who are having a rough time and need a break.

 

The comment about 'having his head turned in December' worries me. Agents again???

 

Seems we are carrying MORE than two then, because I reckon Schneiderlin fits into this category too.

[Channon's Sideburns]

...Just a side issue I know, but to the mongs who consistently run onto the pitch. Stop.

 

You're embarrassing yourselves and the club.

 

It was funny at the beginning but not anymore, you could end up costing us points.

[Scummer]

...Just a side issue I know, but to the mongs who consistently run onto the pitch. Stop.

 

You're embarrassing yourselves and the club.

 

It was funny at the beginning but not anymore, you could end up costing us points.

 

Jeez, does this have to be discussed in every thread?

[Channon's Sideburns]

Seems we are carrying MORE than two then, because I reckon Schneiderlin fits into this category too.

 

Difficult to say Alps, because with Schneiderlin his role is different to the others - Antonio is all about pace and attacking defenders whilst Lallana is viewed as a playmaker.

 

When they don't hit top gear it becomes plainly evident.

 

With Morgan he seems to have a good engine on him, certainly is good on the ball and improved from last season - a lot of his play goes unnoticed. His tracking back is good, perhaps if he wasn't running around covering other team-mates (see above) then he could perhaps play a bit more??

 

Just a thought.

[Chez]

Personally, I would drop the f**ker during patches like this.

Why the hostility? He ran his heart out on Saturday. Its not as though he's a lazy bastard that needs a kick up the arse. Jeez.

 

Flare players without that sort of workrate are hard to come by.

[Ash]

The age excuse is getting tedious now.

 

Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney were winning games week-in, week-out for their teams long before now.

 

I'll accept that he hasnt matured sufficiently to be at the peak of his game, but FFS lets drop the pretence that it has anything to do with age.

Lallana in "not being to the same standard as three of the best players these islands have produced in the last twenty years" SHOCK!

 

We really do have some complete dorks supporting the super saints.

[Torres]

It's good to be in the presence of such a football expert as Alpine, isn't it?

 

Perhaps he should share some of his infinite wisdom with current top flight managers such as Arsene Wenger, Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti. I'm sure they'd all be grateful to learn that they really shouldn't be rotating their squads and resting players and if they stopped this silly habit they might be successful and might win some trophies.

[Andy Durman]

He worked his ar5e off last night, and made a couple of vital tackles by running 20 yards - it can't all be backheels, Cruyff turns and, erm, scuffed shots into the corner.

 

I though Holmes did ok too, other than his stupid booking for kicking the ball away (though it wasn't a foul).

 

If that was a hand ball then we should have had a penalty for exactly the same

[eurosaint]

By his own standards AL had a poor game last night !

Sh#t happens, give him a break !!

[benjii]

He's an excellent player but not a natural winger.

 

Hopefully we can, at some point accommodate him as one of the central 3 in the 4-5-1 system. He might get a chance there soon what with injuries and cup-ties n'all that.

 

Still can't really complain with 10 goals by this stage, can we?

 

Maybe AP should just give him a rest for a couple of matches now Holmes is back.

[Chez]

 

Still can't really complain with 10 goals by this stage, can we?

 

plenty are doing their best

[CWD]

It seems to me that after a great run of form, some teams have pinpointed both Lambert and Lallana as our main threats. AL seems to be sheperded out of games. I dont think he's played badly, he just hasnt been allowed the time he was getting a month or so ago.

 

IMO he needs a goal to give his offensive confidence a boost, because defensively he's rli improved recently

[Barry the Badger]

Complex b*ll*cks written by a total tool.

 

There are other types of fatigue than just running around a picth kicking a ball.

 

You get a grip Mrs. Lallana.

 

There are many types of fatigue I agree. Its just that you can't compare them with eachother.

 

No need to resort to name calling, dicknose.

 

If he had come out and complained that he was tired you might have a reason to give the "try working a proper job" blah blah line... But given that he has not said anything, it's just a few people on here guessing that he might be tiring, you are well wide of the mark. It's still a stupid argument anyway.

[The Cat]

This thread is ridiculous.

 

Lallana is a very good player who will only get better. Just because he doesn't play to the best of his ability for every second of every game doesn't mean he should be dropped.

 

Some people really need to get a grip.

[Channon's Sideburns]

This thread is ridiculous.

 

Lallana is a very good player who will only get better. Just because he doesn't play to the best of his ability for every second of every game doesn't mean he should be dropped.

 

Some people really need to get a grip.

 

I appreciate what you are saying, but, and I'm risking ridicule by summarising this, Alpine's view and comparison with Rooney et al was meant to highlight the difference between what makes the difference between a 'great' player and a 'good' player.

 

If you look at 'great' players who break in teams at a young age (say Rooney at 16 with Everton), when they reach Lallana's age they've been snapped up by the big boys...if they haven't by the age of 25 then it's unlikely they ever will be.

 

The difference in opinion between those for Lallana rather than against him - is based on people like me who think he's a 'good' player, but just not a 'great' one.

 

When some posters start comparing him with MLT it's a joke - it doesn't matter how talented Lallana is or how many Cruyff turns he does in a match, if he isn't consistent in his play then he's open for criticism.

 

MLT covered for his inconsistency/workrate by sublime moments of skill - they are completely different players - I swear that people on here that compare him with Lallana never saw MLT play live.

 

Yes, Lallana's goals and early games this season have been a big improvement on last year, when he wasn't putting much of a shift in, and not producing much for others....but let's not get carried away with 'he's being played out of position' - didn't see many using that as an excuse for Lloyd James last season.